For the third time in this series, an error by Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond has led to runs for the Mets. With one out in the third and Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson on first base, third baseman David Wright hit a tailor-made double play grounder right at Desmond. He misplayed the hop and by the time he was able to gather and throw to first, it was too late and both runners were safe. Then the wheels fell off. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg missed on a curveball inside that struck...

Buckle up for the marquee pitching matchup today at Nationals Park between two power pitchers that can pump it in there in the mid-to-high 90s. Nationals manager Matt Williams sends right-hander Stephen Strasburg to the mound, while Mets manager Terry Collins trots fireballer Matt Harvey to the hill for his first start regular season start since Tommy John surgery. "High-powered arms that have come back successfully from a really serious surgery," said Williams. "It's good. Matt's one of...

Shortstop Ian Desmond has had a rough start on offense, going 0-for-7 with two strikeouts and no walks in the first two games. On Thursday morning, Nationals manager Matt Williams said he believes he knows why Desmond has had a slow start and what he'll need to do to change things at the plate. "I think the first two games anyway, his timing is a touch off, he looks a touch late to me, so he's working hard on making sure he is on time," Williams said. "When it's on time it's special,...

I'm certain that you've heard the saying that baseball is a simple game a number of times in your life as a sports fan. But a startling number of people don't seem to understand how simple it is. Broadcasters and hot-take journalists are always talking about players knowing or not knowing how to win. The highest level of baseball I played was t-ball, and even as a wee lad, I knew how to win. Baseball is not complicated in this regard and it is, in fact, one of the things that make it the...

The 1972 Dolphins can breathe easy. The Orioles aren't going 162-0. A 161-1 record still is a possibility, however. In case you are curious, that would be a .994 winning percentage. After three games, the O's are on pace to finish 108-54 and, as you'd expect, that would win the American League East. Travis Snider is on pace for 216 hits, while Steve Pearce will lead the club (and likely the majors) with 108 home runs. Aren't small sample sizes fun? Our beloved Birds wrapped up the first...

It's been an active beginning to the early season for Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper. The 22-year-old added two more hits last night, and is now 4-for-7 with a home run and an RBI through two games. "I feel good up there," said Harper. "I just want to stay in that same zone. Just in that same feeling, not get too quick, try to have good at-bats and see where it gets me." Harper has worked on a patient approach at the plate. On Monday, he admitted to being too amped up when he struck...

TAMPA - The Orioles will hold an informal workout today at Camden Yards. By "informal," I mean players will report to the ballpark and get situated in the clubhouse. Get comfortable with their surroundings. And get out of there at a reasonable hour. Media is invited to watch the grounds crew paint the field logos. Bring an umbrella. "It's always happy to be home, especially with the fans waiting for us there," said outfielder Alejandro De Aza. "We're going to try to make a good show...

A two-run homer from first baseman Ryan Zimmerman in the first turned out to be all the offense Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann would get and need in a 2-1 victory over the Mets in the second game of the season-opening three-game series. Zimmermann ran into some trouble in the second when the Mets strung together three consecutive singles, leading to their only run. He altered his approach a bit and retired 11 straight batters before Mets first baseman Lucas Duda singled in the sixth. "I...

Wednesday's second game against the Mets was another tight affair, but this time the Nationals were able to hold onto a one-run lead and win their first game of the season 2-1. Manager Matt Williams decided to finish the game with three right-handers - Craig Stammen in the seventh, Blake Treinen in the eighth and Drew Storen in the ninth. The Mets managed just one hit in those three frames. Williams decided to start off the bullpen in the seventh by calling on the veteran Stammen. He allowed a...

If he had any doubters, Orioles minor league outfielder Mike Yastrzemski must have proved a lot of them wrong last year. He was not selected until round 14 in the 2013 First-Year Player Draf. There were 428 players selected before the Orioles drafted Yastrzemski, a senior from Vanderbilt. But the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski didn't play like a 14th-round pick in 2014, when he began the season at Single-A Delmarva and later moved to both Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie. In...